Can a diabetic eat gluten? Yes. A diabetic can generally eat gluten. Eating gluten may not necessarily raise blood sugar levels. However, some foods that have gluten are also high in carbohydrates. A diabetic needs to watch for carbohydrates and sugars in foods rather then gluten. For example, gluten in foods like bread, noodles etc. can be harmless but the carbohydrates in such foods can be a problem for diabetics.
Is gluten bad for a diabetic?
Gluten does not cause any harm to a diabetic. So, you need not go gluten-free just because you are a diabetic. However, if you have celiac disease, you need to avoid gluten. This applies to both diabetics and non-diabetics.
However, many foods that contain gluten tend to be high in carbohydrates and can raise blood sugar levels. So, avoiding gluten will likely reduce blood sugar levels. So, for diabetics the indirect advantage of avoiding gluten is lower blood sugar levels.
Why are many doctors against a gluten free diet? Why should you not go gluten free?
Doctors say you should not be going gluten free unless you are diagnosed with celiac disease. Research has proved that going gluten free can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in the long run.
What can a diabetic celiac eat?
If you are diabetic and have celiac disease too, then you must not eat gluten. With celiac disease, going gluten-free is the only way of avoiding any damage from gluten.
A diabetic celiac can eat food rich in beans and legumes. For example, green beans, black beans, kidney beans and chickpeas are rich in fibre and protein. Fruits and vegetables can also be prominent in meals designed for diabetic celiac.
When a diabetic celiac goes gluten free, generally blood sugar levels change. This is because gluten free diet allows the gut lining to heal. When the gut lining is healed, it tends to absorb all nutrients more efficiently. This means the gut starts to absorb carbohydrates and sugars more efficiently. This causes change in blood sugar levels.
Why should a diabetic celiac go gluten free?
If you are a diabetic celiac, you must go gluten free. Eating any gluten will damage small intestine and your body will not absorb nutrients well. This can primarily lead to malnutrition, vitamin or mineral deficiency and impaired immune system. It can lead to many gastrointestinal problems and other health complications too.
